Brake Fluid and Gear Oil

[pez]

Hello all,
It's about time to change some fluids, so a few questions:

1. I plan on replacing all the brake fluid.... What's the different between Dot 3 and Ford Dot 3? The local auto parts store has both.... These were both Prestone synthetic. How much do I need?

2. Anything special to know for changing the brake fluid, or just the standard tube on bleeder nipple sitting in a jar with a bit of fresh fluid, and pump pedal slowly while keeping reservoir full? Umm, furthest wheel from master cylinder to closest, right?

4. Diff oil - much discussion on this one... 75w140, right? I'd like a full synthetic.... What about friction modifiers? Do the full synthetics already have them typically? How much is required?

5. Power steering - have a qt of Amsoil ATF - how much do I need? best method to change it? Turkey baster, bit by bit?

Thanks,
Colin

[RF Overlord]

Colin, I can shed a little light on questions 4 and 5. (what happened to #3?)

4) Motorcraft 75W-140 is a full synthetic, as are Royal Purple and Redline I believe. The Motorcraft requires a bottle of their friction modifier, but some of the others already have it in. You need 2.2L for a refill.

5) Changing it by the turkey-baster method is of course the easiest, as long as the fluid isn't already ca-ca. How much you'll need depends on the current condition of the fluid. You can just siphon a little out daily, or once a week, or until you're satisfied with the condition. You can only get a few ounces out at a time, so it'll take a while to use the whole quart.

[pez]

3? Who needs 3.... Thanks for the responses - I just looked up the fluid specs on alldatadiy, and it lists 80w90 gear oil... Which should it be???

Thanks,
Colin

[RF Overlord]

80W-90 conventional is what it came with from the factory. However, when Ford issued the TSB kit for the axles, they included 3 quarts of 75W-140 synthetic. The general consensus is that 80W-90 was possibly inadequate, so if you're going to bother changing it, use 75W-140.

[Glockafella]

I just had my rear axles replaced and I insisted on Motorcraft 75W-140 full synthetic in the diff when they finished putting it all back together. Its running completely silent and smooth now.

[fastblackmerc]

Hello all,
It's about time to change some fluids, so a few questions:

1. I plan on replacing all the brake fluid.... What's the different between Dot 3 and Ford Dot 3? The local auto parts store has both.... These were both Prestone synthetic. How much do I need?

DOT 3 is DOT 3 so no difference. Use the gravity method to change.

2. Anything special to know for changing the brake fluid, or just the standard tube on bleeder nipple sitting in a jar with a bit of fresh fluid, and pump pedal slowly while keeping reservoir full? Umm, furthest wheel from master cylinder to closest, right?

Use the gravity method to change. I'd get at least 2 quarts.

4. Diff oil - much discussion on this one... 75w140, right? I'd like a full synthetic.... What about friction modifiers? Do the full synthetics already have them typically? How much is required?

5. Power steering - have a qt of Amsoil ATF - how much do I need? best method to change it? Turkey baster, bit by bit?

Turkey baster works fine.

Thanks,
Colin

See above.

[pez]

Thanks for the responses all. Brake fluid change MOSTLY done with Prestone Ford Dot 3 - Old fluid was black/green. Unforunately, the rubber cap was missing from the drivers' side front bleeder, and it sheered off when I attempted to loosen it. Ugh.